Skirt.



M. S. DUTY.

. 1 SKIRT. urmouron FILED D30. 19. 1902.

3,815 v Patented Mar. 2, 1909.

UNITED STATES PATENT orrron.

MARIE S. DO'IY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE WARREN FEATHERBONE COMPANY OF MICHIGAN, OF THREE OAKS, MICHIGAN, A

CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

SKIRT To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, MARIE S. Do'rr, a citi- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 19, 1902.

Patented March 2, 1909.

Serial No. 135,901.

skirt is made flaring, the fullness increasing towards the bottom to the right form to sezen of the United States, residing at the cure a full flaring ripple effect.

city of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Skirts, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in skirts.

The objects of this invention are, first, to provide an improved skirt or petticoat that may be of light materials which will effectively support a dress skirt and hold it properly distended. Second, to provide in conjunction with such a skirt, means whereby the bottom may be fully distended with a very small amount of material.

' Further and minor objects will definitely appear in the detailed description to follow.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification.

The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a side elevation view of a skirt embodying the features of my invention, portions being broken away to show details of construction. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 22 of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on a line corresponding to line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. i is an enlarged detail view showing the manner of attachment of the stiffening cord B. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the stiffening cord B.

In the drawing the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines, and similar letters of reference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the lettered parts of the drawing, the upper portion A of the skirt illustrated is made but slightly goring to a point about the height of the knees of the wearer so that a slender effect may be secured in this portion of the skirt. The lower portion A of the skirt is preferably made separate and secured to the upper portion by a seam a. The portion A of the l distend this whole skirt by suitable waved stiffening strands. I prefer to use for this purpose the stiffening material consisting of strands formed of resilient fiber bound together and formed into a continuous cord, known to the trade as featherbone, the form particularly illustrated and described in the patent to Edward K. \Varren, dated December 3, 1895, No. 550,855. This matcrial is preferred by me on account of its resiliency in all directions, which is very d"- sirable in this relation. t is also possible to secure the same in position by stitching thereth'rough, which relieves the strain on any particular portion of the garment. It is also very light, which is, of course, a desirable feature for use in this relation. It can be secured inthe wave-like or sinuous lines without injury thereto. When the stiffening material is sewed in position in this manner it is very durable, as the liability to injury by compression is reduced to a minimum.

The encircling stiffening cords B are arranged in sinuous or wave-like lines substantially parallel. In the lower part of the skirt the several bands are so arranged that the highest and the lowest points of the several corresponding waves lie in the lines itis desired the ripples or folds shall take. This increases and makes permanent the desired flaring and fold or ripple effect, and renders the skirt capable of sustaining and imparting the desired effect to the outer skirt. The effect of the outer skirt in place increases rather than diminishes this result. The number of waves given the stiffening cords B is governed by the number of folds desired.

At the bottom of the skirt I provide a rufiie C. I also provide a flaring plaited ruffle D, which I secure to the skirt above the lower band B so that it hangs over and rests upon the same and upon the ruffle C and is held outwardly thereby at the bottom. lVhile very satisfactory results are obtained without these ruffles, they increase the result sought very greatly. A ruflie D adds to the effect and serves to soften the whole.

In skirts of this class many yards of goods are used and much difficulty has been experienced in supporting the same in a desirable manner so that the soft yielding flaring or sweeping fold efiect is secured. Many devices have been resorted to, but all have proved unsatisfactory, as they have produced the stiff, obtrusive, unyielding effect of crinoline. When a multiplicity of starched skirts are used, the usual means resorted to, the wearer is burdened with a great weight and the desired result is attained only in a limited degree.

The distance between the stiffening bands may be varied as desired. A single band will produce very desirable results, though when arranged as described a number may be used without producing the undesirable stiff, unyielding effect. My improved skirt also prevents the disagreeable winding about the legs of the wearer occasioned by swift walking or by the wind. My improved skirt may be made of very light material and still support a heavy broadcloth gown or one of very light material in an equally effective manner.

I have illustrated my improved skirt in a particular style and arrangement of parts which I have found to be very desirable. I am, however, aware that it is capable of very considerable variation without departing from my invention.

I am aware of the structure illustrated and shown in the patent to Forsyth which involves the use of a coiled or bended wire as a resilient material which is secured to a garment in waves; but this wire, which is kinked or coiled, is not the same thing as the stiffening cord of resilient fibers bound tol gether. It does not operate in the same way and it does not produce the effects, and of I necessity adds very much to the welght of 1 the garment when compared with my improved material known under the name of featherbone which is made up of resilient fibers or quills suitably bound together, the quill being one of the lightest materials known for its strength.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a skirt, the combination of the upper portion A with. the bottom portion A flaring outwardly towards the bottom; a plurality of encircling cords B of resilient stiffening material formed of elastic fibers bound together, arranged in wave-like lines and in such manner that the crest and trough portions of the several cords occupy like relative positions, substantially as described, and for the purpose specified.

2. As an article of manufacture, a skirt having a plurality of encircling cords or tapes of resilient stiffening material formed of elastic fibers bound together, arranged in wave-like lines and in such manner that the crest and trough portions of the several cords occupy like relative positions whereby the skirt is caused to hang in folds and the lines of the folds are determined.

3. The combination with a skirt of stiffening cord consisting of resilient fibers suitably bound together and secured transversely around the same in wave-like lines.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal. 1n the presence of two witnesses.

MAR-1E S. DOTY. [1a. s] -Witnesses I. I. SEYMOUR, Mrs. F. XV. TBASK. 

